/ENTRY:function
The Entry-Point Symbol option sets the starting address for an .exe file or DLL.
Type a function name in the Entry-Point Symbol text box (or in the function argument on the command line). The function must be defined with the __stdcall calling convention. The parameters and return value must be defined as documented in the Win32 API for WinMain (for an .exe file) or DllEntryPoint (for a DLL). It is recommended that you let the linker set the entry point so that the C run-time library is initialized correctly, and C++ constructors for static objects are executed.
By default, the starting address is a function name from the C run-time library. The linker selects it according to the attributes of the program, as shown in the following table.
Function name | Default for |
---|---|
mainCRTStartup (or wmainCRTStartup) | An application using /SUBSYSTEM:CONSOLE; calls main (or wmain). |
WinMainCRTStartup (or wWinMainCRTStartup) | An application using /SUBSYSTEM:WINDOWS; calls WinMain (or wWinMain), which must be defined with __stdcall. |
_DllMainCRTStartup | A DLL; calls DllMain, which must be defined with __stdcall, if it exists. |
If the /DLL or /SUBSYSTEM option is not specified, the linker selects a subsystem and entry point depending on whether main or WinMain is defined.
The functions main, WinMain, and DllMain are the three forms of the user-defined entry point.
Setting Linker Options | Linker Options | FAQ: Building Your Program